The Best Energy-Efficient Window Treatments (2024)

Being energy efficient isn’t just about making the switch to LED light bulbs or cleaning appliances regularly. It’s also about choosing the right resources to keep your space comfortable. With windows being huge energy portals in every home, it makes choosing the best energy-efficient window coverings that much more important.

When it comes to heating and cooling, window treatments can go a long way towards boosting the energy efficiency of your space. That’s because compared to insulated walls and ceilings, windows easily allow more heat to escape from rooms in winter and more heat to enter rooms in summer. In this guide, we’ll dive into how window coverings improve energy efficiency and what types of energy efficient window treatments are best for your home.

How Window Treatments Affect Energy Efficiency

Window treatments help with a home’s energy efficiency by reducing heat loss, providing insulation, and using natural light to lower energy bills. But keep in mind, not every room calls for the same product. For example, a room drenched in sunlight requires something different than one covered in shade or in a cooler climate.

Not sure what type of window treatment will work best for you? Keep reading for our expert advice about what makes the most sense for your home and what to consider when it comes to shopping for window treatments.

Cellular Shades

Cellular Shades, or honeycomb shades are one of the most energy-efficient window coverings you can invest in. Their modern and sleek look is defined by honeycomb-like cell pockets that trap existing air around your windows to keep rooms warm in the winter and cool in the summer — making them the best insulating window treatments.

Stuck on where to start with cellular shades? Take a look at our collections ranging from classic to designer and order a free swatch.

Drapery

Energy efficiency varies widely with drapery and curtains because fabrications can span from light and airy to velvety panels. But the upside to incorporating drapery into your home is its versatility and the ability to deliver an elegant layer of style.

For full on privacy, go for blackout or room darkening curtains. The added liner blocks light completely while keeping heat or cold inside better than most window treatments. But if you appreciate your home's natural light, we recommend taking the layering approach. Pairing a sheer curtain with a thicker panel that features a tight weave will also insulate and prevent heat transfer while allowing more light control.

Roman Shades

Another energy-efficient window covering that maintains classic style throughout your home is Roman Shades. Designed to envelope your window, roman shades use heavier, pleated fabric to insulate and keep air from escaping. But if the appearance of lighter fabric is your preference, explore the option of adding a blackout liner to your roman shades for an end result that meets your style and functionality needs.

When it comes to maximum energy efficiency with roman shades, the key is in the fold. Go for a classic fold versus a flat fold to block heat better due to the design’s small pockets that trap hot air. Nevertheless, whether you choose a flat, classic, or waterfall fold, roman shades create an insulated layer at the window when fully lowered, making it a comfortable energy-efficient window covering year-round that offers long-term cost savings when it comes to your energy bill.

Shutters

Known for its classic structure, Plantation Shutters are another energy saving window treatment option. Made up of panels and louvers (horizontal and vertical slats), shutters are unique when it comes to placement, too. Unlink other window coverings, there are interior and exterior shutters. Plus, you can fit shutters to doors or other windows with unique structures.

So why are shutters considered one of the best window treatments? It all boils down to the benefits of their sturdier materials. Made up of durable composite wood (MorView® Shutters) or moisture-resistant faux wood (Ideal® Shutters), these thick materials work to trap air and add insulation. Plus, with shutters being installed tightly to window frames, it eliminates gaps between the treatment and the window structure, causing less air to escape.

Additional components of plantation shutters also offer more energy-efficient benefits. Louvers can be adjusted to block light and heat, allowing you complete light control during the summer season, while panels open as doors to let in more sunlight naturally and warm your home during the winter.

Solar Shades

Solar shades are the best energy-efficient window treatment for homes with a view or those who have an appreciation for natural light. Designed with the same silhouette as a roller shade, these window coverings are crafted with a specially designed material that helps to reduce heat, provide UV protection and block sun glare.

The key to choosing the right solar shade for your home is in the opacity. A solar shade’s opacity is openness percentage that determines its visibility. The lower the percentage level (1% for example), the tighter the fabric will be woven, blocking more light. However, the higher the percentage level (10% for example), the larger the holes in the fabric will be, allowing more visibility and ample light to come through.

Solar shades are a good energy efficient window covering choice for both hot and cold seasons. Opaque fabric options reduce the sun’s glare and blocks UV rays to protect your furniture and minimize heat during the summer. On the other hand, while solar shades don’t provide much insulation, its unique fabric does allow natural light to warm your home during the winter season.

If you prefer to keep solar shades installed during the winter months, we recommend layering them with drapery to achieve the best insulation.

Combination Window Coverings

While you may prefer the look of one style over the other, when it comes to maximizing your energy efficiency, one window treatment may not be enough. If that’s the case, layering window treatments is the perfect solution to increasing insulation. The best way to achieve the layered look is by adding drapery to existing window treatments. Not only does this tactic look great in most settings, but it also reduces the energy lost through your windows.

If you’re in search of energy-efficient window treatments that will help keep your home both comfortable and stylish, Blinds To Go is your most trusted source. Determine what conditions you typically experience with your windows throughout the year. Hot summers? Frigid winters? A combination of the two? Our design consultants can assist in finding the best solution for you.

Shop our full selection of blinds, shades, shutters and drapery at your nearest Blinds To Go showroom or with a FREE in-home design consultation.